I was a little bummed out when I got my Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iOS. People who follow me on Twitter or App.net have heard me complaining about the less than stellar plastic sleeve that turns into a stand. As a stand, the Tablet Keyboard is something of a failure since it risks sliding around on a flat surface such as a tabletop. I’m using said plastic thingy as a stand for my iPad mini as I’m writing this, and although it does work, I really wish I could motivate myself to go upstairs and fetch the excellent Compass stand from Twelve South.

This isn’t about stands though. This is about batteries.

I picked up a Logitech Keyboard Cover for the iPad mini at the same time as the Tablet Keyboard. I also got one of those Logitech keyboards that connects to three different devices via bluetooth, the Easy-Switch Keyboard, which I recommend by the way. It was quite the Logitech shopping basket.

Both the Keyboard Cover (which is too cramped for the iPad mini for longer forms of writing, by the way) and the Easy-Switch Keyboard features built-in batteries. The Tablet Keyboard however, doesn’t. Instead it needs two standard AAA batteries.

This bummed me out. I like the idea of not having standard batteries in my devices, preferring rechargeable options. Sure, I could (and will) pick up rechargeable AAA batteries, but it’s another thing to fiddle with.

I almost returned the Tablet Keyboard upon realizing its use of AAA batteries.

Then it got me thinking. I tend to drag around an USB battery, which is about the size of the original iPhone. The portable battery has taken a beating but still works, and I get about two full iPhone charges out of it. A potential life-saver, no doubt. Over the years, I’ve used it to charge other things as well, such as digital cameras and portable hotspots. It’s a handy little thing, but when it’s empty I’ll need a powered USB port, or a wall socket, to recharge, just like any other device.

But you know what, AAA batteries are available everywhere. You could scavenge them from other devices if there’s no store nearby, and chances are you’ll find some laying about in a drawer in your summer home.

I’m still a bit bummed out about the two AAA batteries required by the Logitech Tablet Keyboard, but at least I can appreciate their usefulness now. That, and the fact that this thing seems to last for months, made me leave my Apple keyboard with its Incase Origami stand at home, replaced by the Tablet Keyboard. At least for now.